Is driving a right or a privilege?

[MODU]

Its a privilege. I shudder when I think of a day 20 years from now when millions of baby boomers become awful drivers when they hit their seventies, making driving in this country a nightmare.

You would like my law then.  I would make it manditory for all drivers (no matter what their age) to retake their written and driving tests before renewing their drivers license.  Those that do not pass those two cannot receive their license.  Most of your old drivers would then lose their privilege to drive, and some of these college kids would too. 

[minionofmidas]

Its a privilege. I shudder when I think of a day 20 years from now when millions of baby boomers become awful drivers when they hit their seventies, making driving in this country a nightmare.

You would like my law then.  I would make it manditory for all drivers (no matter what their age) to retake their written and driving tests before renewing their drivers license.  Those that do not pass those two cannot receive their license.  Most of your old drivers would then lose their privilege to drive, and some of these college kids would too. 

How often do you have to renew your drivers' license in America?

[John Dibble]

Its a privilege. I shudder when I think of a day 20 years from now when millions of baby boomers become awful drivers when they hit their seventies, making driving in this country a nightmare.

You would like my law then.  I would make it manditory for all drivers (no matter what their age) to retake their written and driving tests before renewing their drivers license.  Those that do not pass those two cannot receive their license.  Most of your old drivers would then lose their privilege to drive, and some of these college kids would too. 

Nobody would like that law - it would require spending time in the DMV.

To answer Lewis, four years, at least in my state.

[minionofmidas]

Its a privilege. I shudder when I think of a day 20 years from now when millions of baby boomers become awful drivers when they hit their seventies, making driving in this country a nightmare.

You would like my law then.  I would make it manditory for all drivers (no matter what their age) to retake their written and driving tests before renewing their drivers license.  Those that do not pass those two cannot receive their license.  Most of your old drivers would then lose their privilege to drive, and some of these college kids would too. 

Nobody would like that law - it would require spending time in the DMV.

To answer Lewis, four years, at least in my state.

Wow. Retesting every four years sounds excessive (not to mention expensive) to me. Although I'd approve of it for the elderly, say over 75.

My grandfather, who's 80 years old, showing slight signs of dementia, and lives in Greece, isn't driving anymore. This is because he was told by his neighbors that you, in Greece, need to take a test again every five years after you turn 80.
The reason they told him that lie is because they wanted to stop him from driving while intoxicated.

[MODU]

Its a privilege. I shudder when I think of a day 20 years from now when millions of baby boomers become awful drivers when they hit their seventies, making driving in this country a nightmare.

You would like my law then.  I would make it manditory for all drivers (no matter what their age) to retake their written and driving tests before renewing their drivers license.  Those that do not pass those two cannot receive their license.  Most of your old drivers would then lose their privilege to drive, and some of these college kids would too. 

Nobody would like that law - it would require spending time in the DMV.

To answer Lewis, four years, at least in my state.

Five years in Virginia.  And as far as the testing being expensive, you need to consider that most of the written tests are electronic (you already have the software and computers, so that's not an added expense) as well as the road test graders (salaries and on the clock).  What would need to be done is schedule the tests, which might be an added expense to hire a few more employees.  However, with less drivers on the road causing fewer accidents, money will be saved by repairing the damage caused by accidents as well as lower insurance rates. 

[John Dibble]

Its a privilege. I shudder when I think of a day 20 years from now when millions of baby boomers become awful drivers when they hit their seventies, making driving in this country a nightmare.

You would like my law then.  I would make it manditory for all drivers (no matter what their age) to retake their written and driving tests before renewing their drivers license.  Those that do not pass those two cannot receive their license.  Most of your old drivers would then lose their privilege to drive, and some of these college kids would too. 

Nobody would like that law - it would require spending time in the DMV.

To answer Lewis, four years, at least in my state.

Five years in Virginia.  And as far as the testing being expensive, you need to consider that most of the written tests are electronic (you already have the software and computers, so that's not an added expense) as well as the road test graders (salaries and on the clock).  What would need to be done is schedule the tests, which might be an added expense to hire a few more employees.  However, with less drivers on the road causing fewer accidents, money will be saved by repairing the damage caused by accidents as well as lower insurance rates. 

Even with appointments, I imagine that the DMV would be like a doctor's office - you'd still have to wait longer than you should. Probably worse. The DMV is the most inefficient beauracracy in all the land.

[MODU]

Even with appointments, I imagine that the DMV would be like a doctor's office - you'd still have to wait longer than you should. Probably worse. The DMV is the most inefficient beauracracy in all the land.

hehehe . . . yes, but I must admit they have gotten better.  Here in VA, they now assign you a alpha-numeric code when you arrive.  The code indicates why you are there, and is fed into a queing system.  When the DMV personnel sign into their stations, it knows which lane they are in and what they are qualified to assist you with, so the computer will not send you to a station that you cannot be helped at.  Beats the old days of waiting in line and having a person say "oh, I'm sorry you waited an hour, but you need to stand in that line over there."   

Of course, I've been doing most of my DMV stuff electronically, so I by-pass the hassle all together.  hahaha

[John Dibble]

Even with appointments, I imagine that the DMV would be like a doctor's office - you'd still have to wait longer than you should. Probably worse. The DMV is the most inefficient beauracracy in all the land.

hehehe . . . yes, but I must admit they have gotten better.  Here in VA, they now assign you a alpha-numeric code when you arrive.  The code indicates why you are there, and is fed into a queing system.  When the DMV personnel sign into their stations, it knows which lane they are in and what they are qualified to assist you with, so the computer will not send you to a station that you cannot be helped at.  Beats the old days of waiting in line and having a person say "oh, I'm sorry you waited an hour, but you need to stand in that line over there."   

Of course, I've been doing most of my DMV stuff electronically, so I by-pass the hassle all together.  hahaha

My DMV had tickets for each type of line with numbers on them, and you had to wait for your number to be called. Still vastly inefficient in terms of getting people in and out.

[angus]

California Driver's Handbook is very clear on this:  Privelege.

[Bono]

I think it's a right, but not a natural one - meaning you have to earn it, and it can be taken away if you abuse it.

That means it's a privilege John.  If someone can take it away, then it's not truly a right.

Well, everything in the world can be taken away from you in some form, so using that criteria, nobody has any rights.

Personally, I consider a "right" to be something that the vast majority of people agree should never be taken away.  Given that hardly anyone argues with taking away the ability to drive from someone who's absolutely incompetent at driving, I therefore don't consider driving a right.

Change that to what cannot be taken away rightfully.
Oh, and that argument of yours about the majority of people suffers from teh falacy "is" implies "ought". As Hume showed, it doesn't.

[John Dibble]

California Driver's Handbook is very clear on this:  Privelege.

You think I care what a government published book says?

[PBrunsel]

Write-In: Driving is a... Death Trap!!

[??????????]

It's 6 years in FL up until your next birthday. So about 6 1/2 years for me. Mine expires on 06/06/06. Scary, ain't it.

[MODU]

It's 6 years in FL up until your next birthday. So about 6 1/2 years for me. Mine expires on 06/06/06. Scary, ain't it.

For you, it's fitting.  hahaha 

[Bandit3 the Worker]

Around here, it should be considered a right, because it is often the only realistic method of transportation. There are too many hills to ride a bike, most stores are 15 miles out of town, and the bus system is sh**tty. Thus, it is a natural right - but one that can be revoked from those who abuse it.

[minionofmidas]

Around here, it should be considered a right, because it is often the only realistic method of transportation. There are too many hills to ride a bike, most stores are 15 miles out of town, and the bus system is sh**tty. Thus, it is a natural right - but one that can be revoked from those who abuse it.

There is no such thing as too many hills to ride a bike.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

There is no such thing as too many hills to ride a bike.

Around here there is. Especially because people around here drive like maniacs, and if a bicyclist goes too slow going up a hill, they'll get run over.

[Bono]

There is no such thing as too many hills to ride a bike.

Around here there is. Especially because people around here drive like maniacs, and if a bicyclist goes too slow going up a hill, they'll get run over.

What's wrong with the buses.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

What's wrong with the buses.

The bus system around here doesn't really go anywhere.

[MODU]

What's wrong with the buses.

The bus system around here doesn't really go anywhere.

That is a big issue in a lot of areas these days.  While the DC/Metro area has a decent bus system, it would nearly double the time it takes for me to go into and away from work each day.  First, I would have to walk about a mile to get to one bus stop, and ride it for about 30-40 minutes before it would take me to the commuter parking lot where I would then either catch a ride with someone needing an extra body for the carpool lane or wait for the bus heading either into the city or to the metro-rail station.  Either of those bus routes will take me about 60-70 minutes to get into the city and then walk the few blocks to my office.  On the flip side, I can hop in my car and get to work in 45 minutes.

Now, when I move down to Stafford later this year, I'll be getting a home near the commuter train station.  Driving in would take about 90 minutes from there.  I can use the hour it takes from the station to the city to sleep or work, and then walk the 20 minutes from the station to my office.  Roughly the same amount of time, but less stressful.

[??????????]

Our bus "system" sucks. No one uses it and it mainly only goes to walmart and a few neighborhoods.

[Storebought]

Our bus "system" sucks. No one uses it and it mainly only goes to walmart and a few neighborhoods.

Brazos County doesn't even have that. Instead, there is a single county-wide gypsy minibus that you have to call 40 min in advance to arrive at an *approved* stop.

I don't have a car yet (I bike the 5 mi to Bryan), but I damned sure not to ride that thing!

[Gabu]

Man, you people's bus systems do suck.

[Everett]

Man, you people's bus systems do suck.

The bus system in San Francisco isn't too bad - it's better than having to drive. The bus system in my metropolis is rather mediocre but workable nonetheless (as evidenced by Alcon and I getting lost and then getting found somehow, last summer). We're going to try out the Toronto bus system next month, so hopefully Canadian bus lines are better than Californian ones.

[dazzleman]

Man, you people's bus systems do suck.

The bus system in San Francisco isn't too bad - it's better than having to drive. The bus system in my metropolis is rather mediocre but workable nonetheless (as evidenced by Alcon and I getting lost and then getting found somehow, last summer). We're going to try out the Toronto bus system next month, so hopefully Canadian bus lines are better than Californian ones.

The streetcars are the most fun to ride, but they look pretty dangerous, with people dangling off them as they have cars going by on either side.